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Insecurity In Nigeria: Lagos State Set To Ban Commercial Motorcyclists

Okada Riders

The Lagos State government has taken a step to curb the rate of insecurity in the state by further strengthening the ban imposed on commercial motorcyclists, also known as okada riders, in the state. With several crimes reported in several parts of the state, the Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is set to announce a new policy on okada riders operation in the state.

With the spate of crime perpetrated by the okada riders on the increase, it is claimed that the policy to be unveiled on Tuesday, May 17, 2021, would be aimed at imposing a further ban on okada riders. An insider in the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation revealed to Sunday Tribune that part of the policy would include a roll-out of buses that would help ease the transportation burden in the event that commercial motorcyclists are banned. According to him, “as more buses are rolled out across routes in Lagos, that means okada is gone forever.” There have been partial okada bans in the past – in some areas – but the incoming ban seems to be a total eradication in all parts of  Lagos metropolis.

This policy is set to be rejected by the over 400,000 okada riders who ply Lagos’ roads as they see the policy as inhuman and inconsiderate but when asked why the commercial cyclists have not been carried along, the source was quick to point out that the okada riders have been asked to form themselves into a formal body under the National Union of the Road Transport Workers (NURTW), which will help in organizing them, but they have refused to do that.

This is not the first time the Lagos State government will be announcing a ban on commercial motorcyclists in the state. Former Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, issued an okada ban in 2012, restricting their operation in certain parts of the states, however, they have since returned to all the routes they were banned from. That being said, this incoming ban seems certain because it is the first time an immediate alternative is provided (buses) to provide an easy landing for road users.

One thing is sure, with the rising insecurity levels in the state and the use of okada to perpetuate all kinds of crime in different parts of Lagos metropolis, it does seem like okada riders have run their course in Lagos state. The state command of the Nigeria Police Force released a report that between January and early May, okada riders have been responsible for 83 percent of 385 cases of avoidable fatal accidents in the state. Also, they have been involved in 218 criminal incidents with 480 guns of various calibers seized.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu further reiterated the above facts when he said:

“The menace of okada operators does not end with avoidable accidents. Crime reports from the field have shown that a greater percentage of crimes ranging from armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, murder, burglary, and stealing to traffic robbery, carjacking, and cash snatching from bank customers are attributable to hoodlums who operate on okada. The nuisance constituted by the okada operators on Lagos roads has become a danger to law-abiding citizens.”

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Tupac’s killer found guilty after 30 years

Duane “Keffe D” Davis has been found guilty in Tupac Shakur’s 1996 murder after trial testimony also raised an alleged payment involving Diddy. A Las Vegas jury has found Duane “Keffe D” Davis guilty of first-degree murder in the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, delivering the first conviction in one of hip-hop’s most notorious unsolved cases, nearly 30 years after the shooting.

Jurors took less than three hours to reach their verdict following a nearly two-week trial, convicting the 63-year-old former Compton gang leader of murder with a deadly weapon, with intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang. Davis was not accused of pulling the trigger himself.

Prosecutors argued he was the “shot caller” who handed the murder weapon to the gunman, believed to be his nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, seeking revenge after Shakur’s entourage assaulted Anderson earlier that night. Under Nevada law, someone who facilitates a murder can be convicted of the crime itself.

Beyond the verdict, testimony during the trial surfaced a detail that has drawn far less attention than the conviction itself: an alleged connection to Sean “Diddy” Combs. According to testimony reported by Rolling Stone, Combs allegedly arranged for money to be passed to Davis through an intermediary named Zip Martin, reportedly intended as payment tied to the killing.

The arrangement reportedly fell apart when Martin, in poor health at the time, never followed through on meeting Davis as investigators had hoped. Combs, now serving a 50-month sentence following his 2025 conviction on prostitution-related transportation charges, has consistently denied any involvement in Shakur’s death, and no charges have been filed against him in connection with this testimony.

Prosecutors built much of their case on Davis’s own past statements, including admissions made in police interviews and details from a memoir he authored, in which he described handing his nephew the gun used in the shooting.

Davis did not testify in his own defence. His attorney, Michael Sanft, argued throughout the trial that Davis fabricated or exaggerated his account for money and notoriety, telling jurors that investigators failed to independently verify his claims.

Judge Carli Kierny ordered Davis held without bail ahead of sentencing, scheduled for October 13, where he faces a possible life sentence without parole. After the verdict was read, Davis calmly asked the court for his personal belongings, including his phone and laptop, and indicated he intends to appeal the conviction.

The verdict lands just two weeks before the anniversary of Shakur’s death on September 13, giving his family a name and now a conviction attached to the killing they’ve waited nearly three decades for.

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Nathaniel Bassey shocked after Pastor Jerry Eze surprises him with birthday car

Gospel singer and minister Nathaniel Bassey has expressed shock after pastor Jerry Eze surprised him with a car as a birthday gift. Nathaniel Bassey shared a video of the moment he received the car, with the singer repeatedly asking who had sent him the gift.

Accompanying the video was a heartfelt message in which Bassey described himself as speechless after the surprise. Bassey revealed that although he usually keeps gestures like this private, he decided to share the surprise with his followers.

He explained that Pastor Jerry had secretly worked with his wife to get the car for him without his knowledge.

“Normally I keep things like this private, but not this one. I want to share this.
Woke up yesterday just desiring a nice, easy day of gratitude to God. Unknown to me, my brother and friend @realjerryeze had this holy coup ongoing with my wife.


In truth, the surpriser had been surprised. Still don’t know how to really express this in words.
He insisted on going for the very best when my wife suggested one to get. In his words, “My brother can’t drive that”

The gospel minister also revealed that Pastor Jerry plans to make similar gestures for other people.

“Pastor Jerry, not only has he done this for me. I know of a couple of other ones like this He is currently planning. The man gives like his life depends on it.
And I’m here to publicly say THANK YOU, PJ (pastor Jerry) – You know, even if you never do this, I’d still love you the same.
Thank you, Sir. Like I told you, I am speechless.”

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Entertainment

Reconciliation with ex-husband Churchill helped women restore broken relationships-Tonto Dikeh

Actress Tonto Dikeh has revealed how her reconciliation with her ex-husband, Olakunle Churchill, inspired her to help at least 10 women restore broken relationships with the fathers of their children. Dikeh shared this while urging single mothers to let go of hurt and embrace forgiveness for their own peace and healing.

According to the actress, her reconciliation with Churchill prompted several women in similar situations to reach out to her for guidance on how she overcame the pain of their decade-long dispute.

Ever since my reconciliation with my ex-husband, hundreds of women have reached out asking the same question: How did you learn to forgive?

While I couldn’t reply to everyone, I reached out to those whose pain mirrored my own. Today, to the glory of God, at least 10 women have been reconciled, restoring peace, healing hearts, and stepping into healthy co-parenting. God has truly turned my personal story into a tool for restoration.

If you are carrying bitterness today, please hear this: Forgiveness is never for the person who hurt you; it is for you. It is the key to moving your life forward. God will not inflict pain on others just because we are hurting,” she explained

Dikeh added that women who struggle with broken relationships should trust God rather than remain trapped in bitterness.

“True closure doesn’t come from people; it comes from God. He promises to restore the years that the cankerworm has eaten. Not just days or weeks, but years. Every tear you’ve shed and every year spent in pain will be turned into a powerful testimony.”

Dikeh’s message comes months after she announced the end of her long-running feud with Churchill, the father of her son, King Andre.

The former couple got married in 2015, but their marriage collapsed less than two years later. Their separation became a highly publicised dispute, with both parties involved in several accusations and public exchanges. Their disagreements also extended to issues around their son, with custody and co-parenting becoming part of the conflict. After years of hostility, Dikeh announced in January 2026 that she and Churchill had reconciled.

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